Sensiball

ABSTRACT

The technical abstract for the “SENSIBALL” entails a standard regulation “NFL” football which is laced with a “webbing” of paper thin sensor strips which would be constructed from a non-corrosive material such as PVC plastic. The “webbing” would be inserted permenantly beneath the outer skin of the ball. In conjunction with this “laced football” would be the football field itself, which would incorperate “sensor marker” at each and every increment of every yard line, sideline, end zone and goal post. These “sensor markers” would be constructed of a non-corrosive alloy and be placed beneath the playing surface of the field.

The “SENSIBALL” would use a sensory device embedded just underneath theskin of the football, This sensory device would monitor the progress ofthe ball on the playing surface, by either GPS satellite tracking, or bylaser technology.

The “SENSIBALL”, when used in American or Canadian football applicationswould accurately determine the “spotting” of the football by theofficials in crucial situations. Yards gained could then be verifiedinstantly or possibly over ruled.

The “SENSIBALL” would incorperate paper thin “sensor” strips which wouldbe laced inside of the ball in a linear fashion. (see FIG. 1). Thesesensor strips would be concealed beneath the ball's outer skin, and inno way distort the balance or shape of the football.

The “SENSIBALL” would then work in conjunction with “contact plates”buried below the playing surface of the football field. GPS applicationswould map the playing field, and “track” the football as a “target”.

Laser applications would require these flexible yet non-corrosivecontact plates to be buried ±6″ below a natural grass surface, or justbeneath astro turf.

The “contact plates” would emit invisible pulses of laser light, whichwould react with the sensor strips on the ball thus giving the ball'sprecise location in relationship to the markings on the playing field.(FIG. 2).

The contact plates would be precisely the same width as each yard line,side line, and end zone, and these plates would be centrally connectedto the head linesman's viewing monitor. (FIG. 3).

IN CONCLUSION, the “SENSIBALL” would be useful in disputed yardage gainsor losses but would not necessarily replace the head linesman, or otherofficial yard keepers.

I David K. Smith claim that the “SENSIBALL” (laser football) willrevolutionize the game of American football.

1. The “SENSIBALL” would use sensory devices to monitor the ball'sprogress on the playing surface by means of either GPS satellitetracking, or laser technology. I further claim that this invention wouldassist referees in making critical judgement calls that could otherwisebe made in error. I also claim that the “SENSIBALL” would change thegame of american, or Canadian football from a game of inches, to a gameof one thousandths of an inch.